MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (March 29, 2019) – Select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Friday, March 29, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Sophomore Running Back Leddie Brown
On being successful in pass protection last season
I did an OK job at it. It took me a little while to get down the protections from the transition from high school to college. It’s a little bit different, but I’m getting better with it.
On if the physical toll set in for him late last season
Yeah, it played a little factor. I had a little ankle injury last year. Hopefully, this year, I can stay healthy throughout the whole season.
On if he can train himself to be faster
According to (assistant athletic director/head coach for football strength and conditioning) Mike Joseph, I just have to work on my own techniques, listen to him and he’s going to get me there.
On what he’s learned from his first year of college football
At the running back position, you have to be an all-around, complete back. You can’t show weaknesses, because the defense is going to go after you.
Redshirt Junior Tight End/Fullback Jovani Haskins
On what he learned from Trevon Wesco last season
I learned, definitely, that you have to be a complete player at that position. Everyone can catch balls, but the guys that are able to get down there, make blocks, stick their head in there, just be a tough guy in there. I definitely learned that about being a complete tight end.
On the new coaching staff’s philosophy on tight ends
Yeah, definitely. I’m split out as well, but they like bringing me in as well, getting me involved in the blocking game and being in the trenches a little with my hand down. So, I like that a lot.
On the different things he’s being asked to do as a tight end
There are similarities, but there’s also differences as well, as far as alignment differences. Obviously, the plays are a little different. It’s really just alignment, and where I’m lining up is a little different.
On how Trevon Wesco’s play helped highlight the tight end position
I think it definitely gave us a jump forward and put a couple more eyes on us, which I appreciate Trevon for doing. It’ll leave my foot in the door a little bit. Just him leaving his mark and everything he did definitely helped us.
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Kelby Wickline
On the differences between this year’s offense compared to last season
Schematics are a little different, of course, and terminology is all different, but we are starting to get the hang of it. That’s what spring ball is for.
On the coaching staff changes
As far as me, this is my last year; I am a redshirt senior. So, I just assume, in my fifth year, I know all the guys here, the relationships. I just thought I’d stay put. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
On the coaching change process
First, I was a little unsure. But Coach (Neal) Brown and all these guys, they’re great guys, and they care about their players. Not to say the former staff didn’t, they were a great staff, too. All-in-all, I feel really comfortable with how the staff is here now.
On being a coach’s kid
Coming into college ball, as a player, I knew what to expect from a student-athlete standpoint. I understood how the system worked, and that gave me a little advantage coming in from the start.
Redshirt Junior Kicker Evan Staley
On making adjustments with the new coaching staff
It’s not huge changes. It’s just about getting to know the coaches better on a personal level, how they want us to practice, the practice routine in general and the new style of practice.
On being on the field with the entire team more this spring
We’re definitely interacting a lot more with the team. I feel like we put a lot more emphasis on special teams already. It’s only spring, and we’ve been doing a lot, like punt, kickoff and field goal, almost every day. So, we’ve been doing a lot more with the team.
On if there is any off-time for the specialists during practice
No, it’s all work the whole practice. We’re just trying to get better at what we do.
On staying fresh throughout the spring
Like a lot of people say, it’s just like baseball with a pitcher. We have a pitch count. You just have to know your body, know where that number is, and you don’t exceed that, because we have a lot of practices. There are 15 practices this spring, and you just have to make sure that you’re not wearing yourself out on one practice.
Redshirt Senior Safety Deamonte Lindsay
On the new coaching staff
For me, the biggest difference is learning the new defense. What we were doing before is different, and the stuff we put in now I feel like is working. It’s pretty fun. It’s fun to go on a new journey with my teammates.
On what concepts are being carried over from the old defense to the new one
Obviously, defenses are different, but most of the stuff is the same, different names, of course. But a lot of the stuff you do in the defense is the same with every defense.
On working out at new positions
Myself, I’ve been working at one position. It’s a lot of the same stuff I did before – stop the run, play the pass.
On if he is more of a coverage player or a run-stopper
I can’t say if I’m better at one or the other. I’d like to say I’m pretty well-rounded. I feel like my body size definitely helps me a lot with being able to do a lot of different things.
Redshirt Junior Linebacker Dylan Tonkery
On what frustrated him about his injury last season
I just kept getting reinjured, that’s what bothered me the most. Finally, it just completely popped off. Right then, I knew I was done for a while. I made a pretty fast recovery, a lot faster than I thought I was going to. I thought I was going to be out the whole winter, but I was able to come back pretty quick.
On the recovery process
Well, every practice, I’m sure you’ve heard of Muscle Beach, and that’s where all the injured kids go during practice. You are with the strength staff pretty much the whole time. So, I am over there pretty much just working out, doing extra workouts, the whole time. So, that’s pretty much what I did all of last season when I got hurt.
On the new defense and the differences from last year’s scheme
It’s not too different. Football is football. There’s really not a lot of difference to cause. That’s about it.
On Coach Brown’s emphasis on in-state recruiting
That’s especially huge for us. Obviously, West Virginia isn’t really that highly recruited and not a lot of the kids (are staying). A lot of the kids are coming out of the state and going other places. That’s a big part to him, to start recruiting our state more. Right now, I think we have three starters from West Virginia – me, (senior defensive lineman) Reese (Donahue) and (junior defensive lineman) Darius (Stills). So, that’s pretty good, and we are all underclassmen still, pretty much. Reese is a senior, and I am a redshirt junior, and Darius is the same as me.
Sophomore Running Back Leddie Brown
On being successful in pass protection last season
I did an OK job at it. It took me a little while to get down the protections from the transition from high school to college. It’s a little bit different, but I’m getting better with it.
On if the physical toll set in for him late last season
Yeah, it played a little factor. I had a little ankle injury last year. Hopefully, this year, I can stay healthy throughout the whole season.
On if he can train himself to be faster
According to (assistant athletic director/head coach for football strength and conditioning) Mike Joseph, I just have to work on my own techniques, listen to him and he’s going to get me there.
On what he’s learned from his first year of college football
At the running back position, you have to be an all-around, complete back. You can’t show weaknesses, because the defense is going to go after you.
Redshirt Junior Tight End/Fullback Jovani Haskins
On what he learned from Trevon Wesco last season
I learned, definitely, that you have to be a complete player at that position. Everyone can catch balls, but the guys that are able to get down there, make blocks, stick their head in there, just be a tough guy in there. I definitely learned that about being a complete tight end.
On the new coaching staff’s philosophy on tight ends
Yeah, definitely. I’m split out as well, but they like bringing me in as well, getting me involved in the blocking game and being in the trenches a little with my hand down. So, I like that a lot.
On the different things he’s being asked to do as a tight end
There are similarities, but there’s also differences as well, as far as alignment differences. Obviously, the plays are a little different. It’s really just alignment, and where I’m lining up is a little different.
On how Trevon Wesco’s play helped highlight the tight end position
I think it definitely gave us a jump forward and put a couple more eyes on us, which I appreciate Trevon for doing. It’ll leave my foot in the door a little bit. Just him leaving his mark and everything he did definitely helped us.
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Kelby Wickline
On the differences between this year’s offense compared to last season
Schematics are a little different, of course, and terminology is all different, but we are starting to get the hang of it. That’s what spring ball is for.
On the coaching staff changes
As far as me, this is my last year; I am a redshirt senior. So, I just assume, in my fifth year, I know all the guys here, the relationships. I just thought I’d stay put. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
On the coaching change process
First, I was a little unsure. But Coach (Neal) Brown and all these guys, they’re great guys, and they care about their players. Not to say the former staff didn’t, they were a great staff, too. All-in-all, I feel really comfortable with how the staff is here now.
On being a coach’s kid
Coming into college ball, as a player, I knew what to expect from a student-athlete standpoint. I understood how the system worked, and that gave me a little advantage coming in from the start.
Redshirt Junior Kicker Evan Staley
On making adjustments with the new coaching staff
It’s not huge changes. It’s just about getting to know the coaches better on a personal level, how they want us to practice, the practice routine in general and the new style of practice.
On being on the field with the entire team more this spring
We’re definitely interacting a lot more with the team. I feel like we put a lot more emphasis on special teams already. It’s only spring, and we’ve been doing a lot, like punt, kickoff and field goal, almost every day. So, we’ve been doing a lot more with the team.
On if there is any off-time for the specialists during practice
No, it’s all work the whole practice. We’re just trying to get better at what we do.
On staying fresh throughout the spring
Like a lot of people say, it’s just like baseball with a pitcher. We have a pitch count. You just have to know your body, know where that number is, and you don’t exceed that, because we have a lot of practices. There are 15 practices this spring, and you just have to make sure that you’re not wearing yourself out on one practice.
Redshirt Senior Safety Deamonte Lindsay
On the new coaching staff
For me, the biggest difference is learning the new defense. What we were doing before is different, and the stuff we put in now I feel like is working. It’s pretty fun. It’s fun to go on a new journey with my teammates.
On what concepts are being carried over from the old defense to the new one
Obviously, defenses are different, but most of the stuff is the same, different names, of course. But a lot of the stuff you do in the defense is the same with every defense.
On working out at new positions
Myself, I’ve been working at one position. It’s a lot of the same stuff I did before – stop the run, play the pass.
On if he is more of a coverage player or a run-stopper
I can’t say if I’m better at one or the other. I’d like to say I’m pretty well-rounded. I feel like my body size definitely helps me a lot with being able to do a lot of different things.
Redshirt Junior Linebacker Dylan Tonkery
On what frustrated him about his injury last season
I just kept getting reinjured, that’s what bothered me the most. Finally, it just completely popped off. Right then, I knew I was done for a while. I made a pretty fast recovery, a lot faster than I thought I was going to. I thought I was going to be out the whole winter, but I was able to come back pretty quick.
On the recovery process
Well, every practice, I’m sure you’ve heard of Muscle Beach, and that’s where all the injured kids go during practice. You are with the strength staff pretty much the whole time. So, I am over there pretty much just working out, doing extra workouts, the whole time. So, that’s pretty much what I did all of last season when I got hurt.
On the new defense and the differences from last year’s scheme
It’s not too different. Football is football. There’s really not a lot of difference to cause. That’s about it.
On Coach Brown’s emphasis on in-state recruiting
That’s especially huge for us. Obviously, West Virginia isn’t really that highly recruited and not a lot of the kids (are staying). A lot of the kids are coming out of the state and going other places. That’s a big part to him, to start recruiting our state more. Right now, I think we have three starters from West Virginia – me, (senior defensive lineman) Reese (Donahue) and (junior defensive lineman) Darius (Stills). So, that’s pretty good, and we are all underclassmen still, pretty much. Reese is a senior, and I am a redshirt junior, and Darius is the same as me.